Filipino-Australian Community Association, Eastern Sydney (FACAES) Celebrates 10the Year Anniversary of Community Service

By Francis de los Santos,
FACAES Adviser/Consultant
Sydney-Australia
May 31, 2017



Shown photo below was taken during the Induction of 17 newly elected officers of the Filipino-Australian Community Association, Eastern Sydney (FACAES) for 2017-2010 Term of Office held at Masonic Centre, Kensington, NSW on 27 May 2017. 

The event also coincided with the 10^th year anniversary of the association which was organized on 27 May 2007 in Randwick.  The Honourable Consul Melanie Diano of the Philippine Consulate General, Sydney was the special guest speaker and the Inducting Officer.

The Filipino Australian Community Association, Eastern Sydney (FACAES), the first ever Filipino community association organized in Randwick on 27 May 2007 has achieved another important milestone by celebrating its 10^th year anniversary yesterday, 27 May 2017 at the Masonic Centre , Kensington, NSW.  From less than 10 members, the association has now 56 financial members and counting.   The turning point of the program was the celebration was the Induction of the Newly Elected FACAES officers to serve for 2017-2019  term of office.   The program’s special guest and inducting officer, the Honourable Consul Melanie Diano of the Philippine Consulate General, Sydney led the recitation of the Oath of Office and sworn in the following newly elected FACAES officers:  Mrs. Precy Santos (President), Mr. Roque Molavin (Vice President), Ms. Remie Masian (Secretary), Ms. Betsy Ananario (Treasurer), Mr. Eduardo Lasala (Auditor),    Mr. Oscar Andres (Business Manager), Ms. Evangeline Nassini (Business Manager), Ms. Mary Grace Pedregosa (Business Manager), Mr. Brenda De la Sala (Public Relations Officer), Ms. Minda Bermeo (Public Relations Officer), Ms. Hazel Manansala (Public Relations Officer),Mr. Alvaro Bermeo (Events Coordinator), Mr. Mathew Obejas (Events Coordinator), Mr. Rogelio Santos (Logistics Officer), Mr. Rhoederic Soriano (Logistics Officer), Mr. Raul Morales (Security Officer), Mr. Francis (Boy) de los Santos (Consultant/Adviser)

Serving for the 3^rd term as FACAES President, Mrs. Eufrosina (Precy) Santos welcomed FACAES families, friends, and nurse colleagues from Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick.   Precy thanked everyone who helped and supported FACAES during the last 10 years and  those long time officers who stood by him in thick and thin.  She also congratulated newly elected FACAES officers who promised to help and support her and the association for the next 2 years.  In her message, Precy also invited everyone to join and participate in the forthcoming Filipino Fiesta in Randwick on 6 August 2017 which would need the help and support from the Filipino community in the Eastern Suburbs area.  She made everyone aware that as a volunteer community association, FACAES is facing a gargantuan task of preparing and organizing this mega event, the first Filipino Fiesta in the Eastern Suburbs. She also thanked and appreciated the guest performers who showed up  to entertain the audience i.e. Ms Mary Grace Pedregosa and Mr. Ramt Trinidad who will showcase their dancing prowess via contemporary dance, the up and coming hip hop wonder, Kimberly Paragas will also perform a surprise dance number.  Meanwhile, two former FACAES beauty pageant candidates and winners in the annual Fiesta Kultura a few years back will be awarded special gifts for representing FACAES in winning the special awards. They are Ms. Lanica Manansala, Miss Friendship (2011).  Ms. Desa Santos, Miss Charity Princess and Most Popular Candidate (2014).  As part of the program, special 10-year loyalty award gift pack will also be handed each to Mrs. Precy Santos, Mr. Roque Molavin, Mr. Francis (Boy) de los Santos, Mr. Rhoederic Soriano and Ms. Remie Masian.

Speaking on behalf of Consul General Ann Jalandoon-Louis and the Philippine Consulate General, Sydney, the Honourable Consul Melanie Diano congratulated the newly elected officers of FACAES for 2017-2019 term of office and for celebrating its 10th year anniversary.  Consul Melanie thanked FACAES for being an active partner of the Philippine Consulate General, Sydney and for serving the Filipino-Australian Community in Sydney.  She expressed happiness as FACAES continue to help and support the Consulate in all its programs and activities.  She advised everyone that there were lots of activities going in the Philippines right now in spite of the incident in Marawi City in Mindanao as the Administration continue to  embark on spearheading the country’s economic growth particularly, the infrastructure development with the “build, build, build” program. 

She stated that Luzon and Visayas are still the safe places to travel and “business usual” for investors and businessmen.  According to Consul Melanie, the Philippines is one of Asia’s best economic performers and the best performing currencies in the region based on the report prepared by Asean Macro-Economic Research Organization.  She encouraged everyone to spread the words to their Aussie friends and colleagues to travel and visit the Philippines and see for themselves the stable economic situation.  As to Philippines-Australia relation, she informed that May is the National Heritage Month with the theme “Malasakit sa Pamana” and as FACAES is holding a Filipino Fiesta in Randwick in August this year, she is happy to know that this event would promote Philippine Cultural identity in Australia with the aim of passing them to the younger generation of Filipino-Australians.  Consul Melanie said that 2016 was the 70^th year anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Australia diplomatic relations which dated back 100 years ago during the arrival of the first Filipino pearl divers in Broome in the 1800s.  Consul Melanie said she was in Canberra last 22 May 2017 to celebrate the Philippines-Australia Friendship Day and encouraged everyone to continue promoting the Philippines’s culture and tradition in Australia.  Lastly, Consul Melanie reminded dual citizens and those holding Philippine passports regarding the Overseas Absentee Voting for the May 2019 Senatorial Elections to register at the Philippine Consulate General Office in Sydney from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.

In his closing remarks, Vice President elect Mr. Roque Molavin thanked  FACAES families, including existing and new members who signed up that day.  He thanked everyone who made their effort to attend considering it’s a weekend event.   He encouraged his fellow newly elected officers including long time and those newly signed members to actively participate in various programs of the association, specifically the forthcoming Filipino Fiesta in Randwick in August this year.  Roque acknowledged as an active community association, FACAES is an affiliate  member of the Philippine Community Council of NSW, the umbrella organisation of Filipino community associations operating in New South Wales.  Roque also thanked the people who cooked and brought food to be shared by everybody.